EU said that Microsoft cannot only offer Internet Explorer with Windows in EU nations.

Regulations have forced Microsoft, the world's biggest software company, to open up its Windows operating system to rival internet browsers in a landmark decision.

Bringing down the curtain on a decade-long antitrust tussle, the legally-binding agreement will see new computer users presented as of March 2010 with 12 browser options when they configure their systems.

Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera, from the Norwegian company that first complained to competition enforcers in December 2007, will each be displayed prominently alongside Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

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A present for open-source extremists in Europe from the EU?

All it was because Microsoft is a US company? Or am I the only one feel it was a bit too harsh?

Can someone please tell me what are the responses from those pro-Microsoft commentators (e.g. Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte)?

Windows Weekly hasn't caught up to this landmark decision yet, Antony. When they do, they'll air their program. I can't imagine Thurrott or Laporte are going to be pleased. I know that I'm not. In my estimation, MS should have simply pulled IE out of the OS and left it at that. Someone wants Opera or Safari or Firefox or what-have-you as a browser? Then let them download it directly from the internet. How? Well...that would be a problem now, wouldn't it. I'll tell you how they would have to get it. BUY a hard copy of the browser (as we did in the old days). Stick it back to Opera and Google, etc. Let them mass produce hard copies of their browsers for purchase. In short... stuff it, Opera, and stop your incessant whining. I don't believe I have ever seen a bigger bunch of whiners that Opera fanboys.

The accepted decision, of course, is that Microsoft will provide a "choice screen" where Windows users will be able to pick between Opera, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, AOL, Maxthon, K-Meleon, Flock, Avant Browser, Sleipnir, Slim Browser and Internet Explorer. As many of Microsoft's competitors requested, the choice screen will feature browsers in a randomized order.

The accepted decision, of course, is that Microsoft will provide a "choice screen" where Windows users will be able to pick between Opera, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, AOL, Maxthon, K-Meleon, Flock, Avant Browser, Sleipnir, Slim Browser and Internet Explorer. As many of Microsoft's competitors requested, the choice screen will feature browsers in a randomized order.

In the UK we only get offered IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Opera but I am glad that the list isn't longer!

I thought that Sleipnir and Maxthon were simply different shells applied to Internet Explorer. I have come up with a list of 8 distinct browsers.FirefoxSeamonkeyOperaSafariInternet ExplorerChromeK-MeleonKonqueror (Linux)